Also featuring a selection of my wildlife & nature photographs and videos from the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire UK and further afield.

Tuesday, 26 July 2011

The Fox!

It was a fantastic day on Sunday 24th July, so I ventured out to find the elusive wild boar. Even though I had been walking for two hours and covered a lot of ground, I hadn't seen anything, which was not good. I came across an area with very good, far reaching views in all directions and decided to see if the wildlife would come to me instead.I found a nice tree to rest against and sat down with my back against it. This is when I tune into my surroundings - I hear more and usually see more like this as the slightest sounds can be picked up. I didn't hear the fox, but saw him from a distance as he made his way up the grassy verge towards me.

I was sure that he had spotted me when he walked into the verge and thought that was it, but I stayed put, hoping that he hadn't. I was right as he walked back out even closer!

Closer still and this time I thought he was definitely history as he was looking straight at me, but I stayed perfectly still as he carried on sniffing the air and the ground. He was quite close now!

I was resting my elbows on my knees while holding my camera, with my eyes and face covered. I was starting to wonder how close he would come!

I watched as he scanned around for any possible threats. Then he would walk a little closer and scent mark the area, not knowing that I was no more than 8 metres in front of him!

Then he saw me and was off like a rocket!

He didn't go far though and stopped to try and make out what I was. This is when I captured this image.

So, no boars, but one truly awesome encounter with a red fox. Well worth the effort!

About Me

My name is Robin Ward, I was born and I have lived in the Forest of Dean all my life. I consider myself privileged to live in such a beautiful place.
Having a massive passion for all our wildlife I have created a blog as a diary, covering all wildlife.
I have also created another blog, dedicated to our beautiful snakes that we have here, in the Forest of Dean.
I have been monitoring and surveying areas for the adder and grass snake for many years and will do for the rest of my life.
It's not a sin to love wildlife, we need it to survive!
Robin Ward

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Wildlife Comes First

I am not just a photographer. I have always had and always will have a massive passion for wildlife and nature. When I am photographing wildlife I always put the animal first, if I feel it will be too stressful I will move away. Only when I am satisfied that my subjects are relaxed, will I photograph them.
I work hard with our native snakes, surveying and managing certain areas for them in the winter, so they have a good habitat when they emerge from hibernation in the spring. Over the years I have learned a lot and now I never move the snakes for photography purposes. My photographs you see of the snakes are of them in their natural environment.

Some people ask me how I know so much about certain subjects, like our snakes, wild boar and deer? The answer is simple, my passion for our wildlife is overwhelming and I want to learn as much about it as possible.
My photography is just an extension of my passion, my way of showing others what I see.

I am self taught with everything I know, but it doesn't come easy and it doesn't happen over night! I will carry on learning for the rest of my life through reading, research and practice.